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Wolves

To hear the howl of a wolf on Mt. Hood is an event that many will recognize as a sign of an ecosystem in true recovery. Wolves, seeking their rightful place in the landscape, symbolize why we fight to keep forests standing.

THE DALLES, Ore.—At least two wolves are using an area in southern Wasco County, marking the first time multiple wolves have been confirmed in the northern portion of Oregon’s Cascade Mountains since they began returning to Oregon in the 2000s.

The wolves were documented on the White River Wildlife Area and Mt Hood National Forest and have also been observed on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation.

Earlier this month, the Forest Service released their 30-day public comment period for the largest single timber sale we've ever seen in Mt. Hood National Forest. The "Crystal Clear Restoration Project (CCR)" includes 13,271 acres (nearly the size of Manhattan) of commercial logging, much of which is in mature, never-logged forest southeast of the mountain.

Crystal Clear is a 12,069 (down from 13, 271 since following scoping comments) acre timber sale proposed in the White River watershed in Mt. Hood National Forest just north of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs boundary. This area is home to spectacular winter and summer recreation opportunities accessible along Highway 26, and also plays the significant role of sequestering and storing carbon, which is critical to mitigating the projected effects of climate change.

The Forest Service is fast-tracking Mt. Hood’s largest timber sale in recent history, which includes logging native and mature forest which is entirely in Critical Habitat for threatened northern spotted owls.

The White River Watershed contains approximately 555 miles of roads, making it high priority for reducing road density within habitat for sensitive species impacted by vehicular traffic and road-related erosion. The Crystal Clear Timber Sale will build or re-open up to 39 miles of "temporary" road, and only decommission 0.7 miles.

The Crystal Clear project area also includes the McCubbins Gulch OHV riding area, one of three designated Off Highway Vehicle riding areas in Mt. Hood National Forest.

In 2014, wolf tracks were confirmed by wildlife agencies in the White River area of Mt. Hood National Forest, and within the Crystal Clear project area. The two-year old male wolf that made its way to our forests this year is collared OR-25 from the Imnaha Pack in eastern Oregon. Its arrival brings up questions about whether there is suitable habitat to sustain a wolf population on Mt. Hood. With more than 3,000 miles of roads and logging occurring in thousands of acres of our wild lands every year, we need a paradigm shift to keep wolves around.

Instead of pursuing activities which degrade native forest, the agency should prioritize decommissioning roads which are currently damaging to the ecosystem, restoring wildlife such as beavers which can bring further recovery of the watershed, and promoting the natural and invigorating role of fire on the Eastside of Mt. Hood.

From the project's scoping letter: "The purpose of the Crystal Clear Restoration Project is to provide forest products where there is an opportunity to restore resiliency to forested areas and reduce the risk of uncharacteristicwildfire behavior."

Bark Comments:

Despite the stated purpose of this project, Bark has heard this project described by the Forest Service as a "straight-up timber sale", funded by borrowed money from the regional Timber Sale Pipeline Restoration Fund, which they must pay back at a rate of 130%. This is by far the largest timber grab Bark has seen in recent years.

After many years of protecting its habitat, our chance to see these important predator species return to the ecosystem became a reality. But now the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has proposed to remove the Gray Wolf from Oregon’s endangered species list

To hear the powerful howl of a wolf on Mount Hood is an event that many will diagnose as a sign of an ecosystem in true recovery. Many will also be chastised by the reappearance of a species unmatched in resilience and in it it’s long, intimate history with humanity, where subjugation and destruction have defined our role. Places like Wolf Camp Butte, Black Wolf Meadows, and Wolf Peak tell us that wolves have been part of the identity of Mt. Hood even in their absence.

Last year, wolf tracks were confirmed by wildlife agencies in the White River area of Mt. Hood National Forest for the first time in over fifty years. Scientists speculated that the wolf may have been traveling through, as no sightings or collar signals were documented. Early in 2015 OR-25, a lone 2-year old male wolf was confirmed roaming throughout the national forest and Warm Springs reservation. Wolves in Oregon are traveling hundreds of miles in search of new habitat that could support their return. Bark is humbled to have them trying out the forests we love. These wolves, seeking their rightful place in the landscape, represent why we fight to keep these forests standing.

The presence of dispersing wolves in the north Cascades begs the question - Is there suitable habitat to sustain a wolf population on Mt. Hood? With more than 4,000 miles of roads and logging occurring in thousands of acres of wildland every year, a paradigm shift will be necessary to keep wolves around.

Mt. Hood’s eco-tourism industry has an enormous opportunity, but it needs a partner in the U.S. Forest Service. Will it manage for people and wildlife? Or will it continue to manage for timber production?

The pending ODFW decision (November 9th, 2015) on whether to retain Endangered Species protections for wolves in Oregon and the upcoming revisions to the state's Wolf Conservation Management Plan and public lands management decisions present huge challenges as well as opportunities for the future of these animals. Sign up here to recieve notifications from ODFW about wolf sightings, policy, and public engagement opportunitites!

From 1900–1930, the gray wolf was virtually eliminated from the western USA and adjoining parts of Canada, because of intensive predator control programs aimed at eradicating the species.

Height: 26-32 inches at the shoulderLength: 4.5-6.5 feet from nose to tail-tipWeight: 55-130 lbs; Males are typically heavier and taller than the females.Lifespan: 7-8 years in the wild. 12 years or more in remote or protected areas.Mating Season: January or February.Gestation: 63 daysLitter size: 4-7 pups

{Credit Defenders of Wildlife}

Prescriptions

Bark Comments:

Wolves play a key role in keeping ecosystems healthy. They help keep deer and elk populations in check, which can benefit many other plant and animal species. The carcasses of their prey also help to redistribute nutrients and provide food for other wildlife species, like grizzly bears and scavengers. Scientists are just beginning to fully understand the positive ripple effects that wolves have on ecosystems.

Wolves eat ungulates, or large hoofed mammals, like elk, deer, moose and caribou, as well as beaver, rabbits and other small prey. Wolves are also scavengers and often eat animals that have died due to other causes.

Restrictions

Restrictions:

Protection Status:

Endangered Species Act (Federal)

Alaska: Gray wolves are not listed as endangered in AlaskaNorthern Rockies: Gray wolves in Idaho, Montana, and parts of Washington, Oregon and Utah were stripped of Endangered Species Act (ESA) protection in an unprecedented act by Congress in 2011. Gray wolves were delisted from the ESA by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) in Wyoming in 2012.Great Lakes: Gray wolves are not listed as endangered in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Gray wolves are listed as endangered west of hiways 385, 78, and 95 in Oregon.

Gray wolves are considered endangered in any other part of the continental United States.

Endangered Species Act (Oregon)

Gray wolves are protected by the Oregon Endangered Species act througout the state as of November 1, 2015. Though this listing is currently being challenged by ODFW.